Showing some skin for a cause

May 30, 2003 12 AM PT

Suzie Harrison

Plenty of hunks were out in force Saturday milling around the Laguna

Art Museum in the name of lending a helping hand to Laguna Shanti.

The second annual Hunks in Trunks fund-raiser started at 6 p.m.

with the private hosted reception for major donors. During this early

part of the evening, the male models, mostly comprised of West

Hollywood Swim Team members, mingled with the guests, while they

enjoyed a no-host bar of martini’s and mixed drinks donated by

Absolut. Also included in the model showcase was some of the Long

Beach Grunion team and a few Lagunans. Film star Coco Peru

socialized, as did Eric Bauman, special assistant to Gov. Gray Davis,

and mistress of ceremonies comedian Judy Tenuta.

Sundried Tomato Cafe and Catering donated the delicious hors

d’oeuvres and buffet.

Last year the event raised $21,000 and this year they exceeded

that amount by raising $38,000 with all the proceeds going to Laguna

Shanti thanks to the six local businesses that underwrote the event,

including Woody’s at the Beach, Casa Laguna Inn, GayLagunaBeach.org,

Madison Square Garden and Cafe and Main Street Bar and Cabaret.

“It’s a three hour event, that’s over $12,000 and hour,” event

co-chair Alford Harrison said.

Judy Tenuta kept the crowd roaring with laughter and got everyone

bidding in the live auction. Tenuta, known as the “Love Goddess,” has

recorded two grammy-nominated comedy CDs and was the first stand-up

to win “Best Female Comedian” at the American Comedy Awards.

“Judy was a real trooper, she really knew how to read the crowd,”

Harrison said. “Everyone loved her.”

The fashion show itself had everyone fixated on the hunky models,

which was produced by Bree Cox, owner of Laguna Beach’s Satisfy My

Soul fashion boutique.

“The fashions from Satisfy My Soul were great,” Harrison said.

There were 45 volunteers from Laguna Shanti who helped run the

event.

“It really brought the community together,” Harrison said. “It

gave people something to do on a Saturday night in Laguna Beach. It

kicked off the summer, brought businesses together and most

importantly raised funds for Laguna Shanti -- we accomplished all

three goals.”

“I thought it was great, it’s always great to have a good time and

feel good about where the money is going,” local gallery owner Peter

Blake said. “They are a great group of people.”

Laguna Shanti provides various needs for people affected with HIV,

AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses. For more information,

contact Laguna Shanti at 494-1446 or go online to